‘This is bigger than the Netherlands', Mark Rutte said during his press conference on Friday. ‘The treaty will help create a stable country on the eastern edge of Europe'.

The need for the compromise over the deal, already ratified by the vast majority of the European states, arose after Dutch citizens voted against it in a non-binding referendum. Rutte promised to respect the decision of the people.

After the referendum Rutte has found himself in a difficult position, as he has to ‘do justice' to the No camp, but at the same time not to undermine the common EU policy.